Resource Description: Mind Mapping and Wireframing for Design Planning (Cambridge OCR Level 1/2) This lesson resource introduces learners to mind mapping and wireframing as essential planning tools used in the design and development process, aligned with Cambridge OCR Level 1/2 exam requirements. Learners begin by exploring mind maps as a method for generating, organising, and expanding ideas. Through guided examples and structured activities, students learn how to break down a design brief, identify user needs, and connect ideas logically using keywords, images, and colour. Emphasis is placed on clarity, relevance, and how mind maps support creative thinking and exam-ready evidence. The lesson then transitions into wireframing, introducing learners to low-fidelity layouts used to plan digital products such as websites, apps, or interactive pages. Students learn how to create clear wireframes using boxes, labels, and annotations to represent layout, navigation, and functionality without focusing on aesthetics. The resource reinforces correct terminology and demonstrates how wireframes communicate structure and purpose to a client or development team. Activities include: Annotated examples of mind maps and wireframes at Level 1 and Level 2 standard Step-by-step modelling of exam-appropriate responses Independent practice linked to a realistic design brief Opportunities for peer review using OCR-style success criteria The resource supports learners in producing evidence suitable for OCR assessment, helping them understand how planning tools link directly to marks, design justification, and final outcomes. It is suitable for classroom delivery, controlled assessment preparation, or revision sessions, and encourages both creativity and precision, the twin engines of strong exam performance

Flowcharts for Cambridge OCR Level 1/2 This lesson resource introduces learners to flowcharts as a method of representing algorithms, in line with the requirements of Cambridge OCR Level 1/2 examinations and various exam boards. The material is designed to build both conceptual understanding and exam readiness, guiding students from basic symbols to structured problem-solving. Learners begin by exploring the purpose of flowcharts and where they are used in computing. The resource clearly explains standard flowchart symbols, including start/end, process, input/output, and decision, with consistent reference to OCR-approved conventions. Visual examples demonstrate how algorithms are translated into flowcharts step by step. The resource includes guided practice tasks where students interpret existing flowcharts and identify errors, reflecting common OCR exam questions. This is followed by structured activities requiring learners to design their own flowcharts for everyday and computational problems, reinforcing logical thinking and sequencing. Exam-style questions are embedded throughout, focusing on: Reading and tracing flowcharts Completing missing sections of a flowchart Designing flowcharts from written algorithms Explaining flowchart logic using correct terminology Clear success criteria and keyword definitions support learners working at both Level 1 and Level 2, while extension challenges stretch higher-attaining students by incorporating nested decisions and loops. By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to confidently interpret, create, and evaluate flowcharts, meeting OCR assessment objectives and preparing them effectively for written examination questions.

Introduction to and overview of Skills Area 1 – Using devices and handling information Devices Applications System settings Internet – navigation and searches Storing, organizing and retrieving information Device and software problems Applying solutions to technical problems or correcting system/user errors Outcome: This resource is aimed at helping student pass their Entry Level 3 Digital Fuctional Skills qualification. Learners will be able to use some keywords in the correct context and identify some interconnectedness of the type of device with its connectivity and uses, either in their daily life or in a work context Device types - desktop, laptop, mobile, smart Features - input (keyboard, touchscreen, mouse, mousepad, scanner, microphone, camera) Features - output (monitor/screen, speaker, printer, camera) Uses - • Communication (phone/video call, email, social media) • Creating/editing documents • Media (images, text, video, audio, stream, livestream) • Lifestyle (entertainment, games, health and fitness, social media) • Online transactions (services, financial)

This presentation explores how User Interface (UI) design directly influences the accessibility, engagement, and overall learning experience of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It highlights the crucial intersection between inclusive design and effective teaching materials, emphasizing how thoughtful UI decisions can remove barriers and empower a diverse range of learners. The talk begins by defining core UI principles—such as visual hierarchy, readability, layout structure, interactivity, and consistency and explains how these design features affect cognitive load, attention, and comprehension. With SEND students often facing challenges such as visual impairments, dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, or physical/processing difficulties, the presentation demonstrates how traditional or poorly designed materials can unintentionally disadvantage these learners. Using real examples of both accessible and inaccessible interfaces, the session illustrates how factors like font choice, color contrast, iconography, navigation patterns, and multimedia integration impact usability. Attendees will gain insights into how adapting UI components such as simplifying navigation, providing multimodal content, integrating assistive technologies, or enabling personalization can promote independence and deepen understanding. The presentation also covers practical strategies for educators and designers, including designing for varying literacy levels, leveraging predictable layouts, supporting screen readers, and applying the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). It concludes with best-practice guidelines and actionable recommendations for creating digital and printed teaching materials that are not only visually effective but also genuinely inclusive. Educators, instructional designers, and developers will leave with a clear understanding of how UI choices shape learning experiences and with practical tools to ensure their materials support SEND students in meaningful, equitable, and empowering ways.

Introduce the purpose and structure of Digital Functional Skills Entry Level 3 By the end of this session, learners will be able to: Use keywords in the correct context Perform common system settings Identify each Icon, navigation, and function on a browser

Cookies and Consequences: What Your Browser and Your Classroom Have in Common explores the striking parallels between digital surveillance and classroom management. Drawing connections between browser cookies and educational monitoring practices, the article highlights how both environments shape behavior through subtle tracking systems. It invites educators, technologists, anyone interested in the intersection of technology, education, and digital responsibility, and readers to reflect on data ethics, power dynamics, and the importance of transparency in both digital and educational spaces.